VP, Recruiting

About the Company

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality.

About the Role

TKO is looking for a VP, Recruiting to lead talent acquisition for UFC, WWE, Professional Bull Riders (PBR), and Zuffa Boxing. Reporting to the SVP, Global Recruiting and based in Stamford, CT, this leader will manage a team of three recruiters, oversee strategic search as well as TKO’s early careers internship program. This role requires someone who takes immense pride in their work, brings high standards, and earns a reputation as a trusted partner across the business. The VP, Recruiting will balance relationship-building at live events with driving process and strategy from their desk.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team: Manage, develop, and inspire a team of three recruiters. Set high standards and foster an environment of accountability, quality, and consistency.
• Set recruiting strategy: Develop and deliver recruiting strategies aligned with the priorities of UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing. Translate business growth needs into actionable talent plans and adapt as priorities evolve.
• Partner with the business: Serve as the primary recruiting partner for UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing. Build trusted relationships with hiring managers and business leaders. Stay connected to each business’s culture, priorities, and talent needs through presence and engagement.
• Drive results: Manage a high volume of searches without sacrificing quality. Fill roles efficiently with the right candidates while delivering a consistent hiring manager and candidate experience. Success is measured by client feedback and the performance of placed hires.
• Build programs that scale: Lead the development and adoption of a referral program across all brands. Drive usage of AI recruiting tools including Findem and Paradox. Strengthen TKO’s employer brand both externally and internally.
• Develop talent pipelines: Build and maintain relationships with top talent proactively, anticipating business needs rather than reacting to them.
• Lead early careers: Oversee TKO’s early careers internship program with the same rigor and client-service mindset as other recruiting activities.
• Recruit for senior roles: Personally lead searches for senior and critical positions across the portfolio.

Requirements

• 10+ years of recruiting experience, with a proven track record leading teams and managing full-cycle searches across multiple business units or brands.
• A client-service mentality: Responsive, proactive, and focused on building trust and delivering value in every hiring manager interaction.
• Strong follow-up and follow-through: Close loops, update stakeholders without prompting, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
• A reputation for quality: Your work and output consistently speak for themselves.
• Genuine curiosity about the businesses you support: Desire to understand how UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing operate, their key personnel, and their talent needs.
• Experience building or significantly scaling referral programs.
• Hands-on experience with AI recruiting tools and a drive to lead adoption across teams and business partners (experience with Findem and/or Paradox is a plus).
• A creative problem-solving approach: Focus on solutions, not obstacles.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment without compromising quality.
• Comfort with regular travel to Las Vegas, NV and Fort Worth, TX.
• A bias toward presence: Understand that relationships are built in person and act accordingly.

Schedule

This role is based in Stamford, CT, with an expectation of 3–4 days per week in the office. Frequent visits to the NYC office and regular travel to Las Vegas, NV and Fort Worth, TX are required.